Methods for preparing alkali cellulose and cellulose ether

ABSTRACT

The invention is a method for efficiently preparing alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution therein. More specifically, the invention is a method for preparing alkali cellulose comprising steps of bringing pulp into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a pipe type contactor to generate a contact mixture and draining the contact mixture; a method for preparing cellulose ether comprising use of the alkali cellulose; and an apparatus for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising a pipe type contactor having at least one inlet port at one end thereof for introducing pulp and an alkali metal hydroxide solution, and an outlet port at the other end for discharging a contact mixture, wherein the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution are moved from one end to the other end while bringing them into contact with each other, and a drainer for separating a cake from the contact mixture discharged from the contactor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to alkali cellulose and a method for preparing cellulose ether using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

For preparation of cellulose ether, known is a method comprising steps of bringing highly purified pulp into contact with an alkali solution to prepare alkali cellulose, and then etherifying the alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent. Although the cellulose ether obtained as a final product becomes soluble in water by properly controlling the degree of substitution, the cellulose ether contains a water-insoluble portion so that the light transmittance of the aqueous solution may be lowered or the commodity value of the cellulose ether may be damaged as a foreign matter.

The insoluble portion is caused by the presence of a portion having a low degree of substitution which does not have enough substituents to permit dissolution of the cellulose ether in water. One of the causes of it is uneven alkali distribution in the alkali cellulose.

The rolls the alkali plays includes (a) swelling the cellulose to change the crystal structure in the pulp, thereby accelerating the penetration of the etherifying agent, (b) catalyzing the etherification reaction of an alkylene oxide; and (c) serving as a reactant for an alkyl halide. A portion of the pulp out of contact with the aqueous alkali solution is not involved in the reaction and therefore remains as an insoluble portion. Thus, uniformity of the alkali cellulose is related to an amount of the insoluble portion in the alkali cellulose.

A method which has been employed widely for the preparation of an alkali cellulose includes one described in described in Japanese Patent Application Examined Publication No. 60-50801/1985 or Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 56-2302/1981 in which an alkali is added in an amount necessary for etherification to pulp powder obtained by pulverization of pulp, and then mixed by mechanically. In this method, however, the alkali is not distributed to all parts of the pup powder so that some parts of the pulp powder remain out of contact with the alkali. As a result, some parts fail to become a cellulose ether, stay in the product as an unreacted substance and deteriorate the quality of the cellulose ether. Thus, this method causes a problem.

In order to avoid causing such a problem, a method comprising steps of impregnating a sheet of pulp in an excess alkali solution to allow the pulp to absorb a sufficient amount of an alkali and then pressing the impregnated sheet to remove an unnecessary portion of the alkali and control the alkali to a predetermined amount. When this method is performed industrially, it is the common practice that a rolled pulp is allowed to be rotated freely by elevating the rolled pulp by a supporting shaft put through the central pipe of the roll so as to bring it up from a floor surface, or placing the rolled pulp over a roller. Then, a sheet is drawn from the rolled pulp and introduced into an immersion tank. However, according to this method, the operation is often interrupted because the pulp sheet is torn by a pull force during the immersion. Moreover, to achieve mass production, a huge immersion tank is required for immersing the pulp sheet therein for a predetermined time. Accordingly, this method has defects such as necessity of an adequate space for the tank and inevitable rise in the investment cost. On the other hand, when pulp chips are employed, the cake of them has an irregular surface so that the uneven squeeze occurs when pressed by the press machine. Uneven alkali distribution caused by the uneven squeeze deteriorates the quality of the alkali cellulose.

In page 433 of “Encyclopedia of Cellulose” edited by The Cellulose Society of Japan (published on Nov. 10, 2000), described is a preparation method of alkali cellulose for preparation of viscose, the step comprising adding pulp to an alkali solution to form a gruel-like slurry and squeezing the slurry by a slurry press. Although the defects caused by use of a sheet of pulp are solved, the slurry press causes uneven squeeze and thereby deteriorates the quality of the alkali cellulose due to uneven alkali distribution. In addition, it is difficult to obtain alkali cellulose having a relatively small alkali content which is required as a raw material of cellulose ether using this method alone because of the limitation of the squeeze performance. Thus, it is difficult to apply this method to the preparation of cellulose ether.

In Japanese Patent Publication Examined Publication No. 3-73562/1991, described is a method of preparing alkali cellulose having a desired composition, comprising steps of preparing alkali cellulose from cellulose and excess alkali, and then washing the alkali cellulose with a hydrophilic solvent for removal of the alkali. However, this method needs huge equipment and many operations. In addition, the hydrophilic solvent remains in the alkali cellulose and causes a side reaction with an etherifying agent. Accordingly, a reaction efficiency of the etherifying agent is reduced. Neutralization of the washing liquid or recovery of the alkali is required. Thus, this method is industrially difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for efficiently preparing alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution.

In an aspect of the present invention, there is thus provided a method for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising steps of:

bringing pulp into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a pipe type contactor to generate a contact mixture and

draining the contact mixture.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method for preparing cellulose ether, comprising use of alkali cellulose thus prepared.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus for preparing alkali cellulose, comprising:

a pipe type contactor comprising

-   -   at least one inlet port at one end for introducing pulp and an         alkali metal hydroxide solution and     -   at least one outlet port at the other end for discharging a         contact mixture,     -   wherein the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution can be         moved from one end to the other end while bringing them into         contact with each other to generate the contact mixture; and

a drainer for separating a cake from the contact mixture discharged from the outlet port.

According to the present invention, alkali cellulose having a uniform alkali distribution therein can be prepared efficiently. As a result, cellulose ether having high transparency can be prepared efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a preparation apparatus of alkali cellulose.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a preparation apparatus having a rotary valve connected to a pulp inlet.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a preparation apparatus to which a snake pump equipped with a hopper has been connected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The pulp to be used in the present invention may be preferably in the form of powder or chips.

The pulp powder may be available by pulverizing a pulp sheet and it is in the form of powder. An average particle size of the pulp powder may be, but not limited to, usually 10 to 1,000 μm. Although no limitation is imposed on the preparation method of the pulp powder, a pulverizer such as knife and hammer mill can be used.

Although no limitation is imposed on the preparation method of pulp chips, the pulp chips may be produced by cutting a pulp sheet with a known cutting device such as a slitter cutter. A continuous cutting device may be advantageous from the viewpoint of investment cost. The plane surface area of the chip may be usually from 4 to 10,000 mm², especially preferably from 10 to 2,500 mm². It may be difficult to prepare the chip having the plane surface area smaller than 4 mm². The chip having the plane surface area greater than 10,000 mm² may pose difficulties in handling such as introducing into a pipe type contactor, transferring inside of the contactor, and introducing into a drainer. Considering the pulp chip as a hexahedron, the plane surface area of the chip is the largest surface area of six surface areas of the hexahedral chip.

In the present invention, a ratio of the weight of the pulp to the volume of the alkali metal hydroxide solution, which flow through a pipe per hour, may be preferably 0.10 kg/L or less, more preferably 0.05 kg/L or less, still more preferably 0.02 kg/L or less. When the ratio exceeds 0.10 kg/L, clogging may tend to be caused inside the pipe. The lower limit of this ratio may be preferably 0.0001 kg/L. If this lower limit is not satisfied, the equipment may become impractically large.

The pipe type contactor to be used in the present invention may be a long tubular container and an alkali metal hydroxide solution flows inside the pipe type contactor.

The length of the pipe can be changed as needed. For example, the length of pipe may be changed by providing a plurality of pipes different in length and switching the flow path from one pipe to the other. The length of pipe may be also changed by providing some extraction valves in the pipe and changing the extracting position. A double pipe may be optionally employed so that a heat medium for temperature control can flow in the outer tube thereof.

An inner diameter of the pipe may be preferably greater, especially preferably at least three times greater than the size (the longest side) of pulp chips in order to prevent clogging therewith.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a preparation apparatus of alkali cellulose comprising a pipe type contactor 10 and a drainer 20 for draining a contact mixture generated in the pipe type contactor to separate a cake therefrom.

A premixture of an alkali metal hydroxide solution 2 from an alkali metal hydroxide solution tank 4 and pulp 1 from a pulp feeder 5 is introduced by a pump 6 into an inlet port 11 at one end of the pipe type contactor 10. Alternatively, the alkali metal hydroxide solution and pulp may be introduced into respective inlet ports without premixing them.

The pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution thus introduced may be transported from the one end to the other end of the contactor while bringing them into contact with each other. Subsequently, the contact mixture may be discharged from an outlet port 12. The contact mixture thus discharged may be separated by the drainer 20 to obtain alkali cellulose 3 in the form of a cake. As a driving unit for causing the contact mixture to flow through the pipe, a known unit such as a driving pump may be used. The liquid recovered by the drainer may be sent to the alkali metal hydroxide solution tank 4 by a pump 21 and can be recycled.

The pulp may be introduced into the pipe type contactor by, as illustrated in FIG. 2, connecting a rotary valve 7 to the pulp feeder 5 and introducing the pulp via the valve.

The pulp may also be introduced into the pipe type contactor by, as illustrated in FIG. 3, introducing a premixture, which have been prepared using a snake pump 8 equipped with a hopper, into the inlet port 11. Alternatively, a whopper may be placed at a suction part of a slurry pump so as to receive pulp and an alkali metal hydroxide solution.

When the pipe has a downward slope, an interface appears between a liquid phase and a gas phase inside the pipe so that the cross-sectional area of the liquid phase may not coincide with the cross-sectional area of the pipe, which may pose a problem in the control of a contact time. Accordingly, it may be preferable to increase a portion of an upward slope.

It may be preferable that the pipe type contactor can freely control a temperature of the alkali metal hydroxide solution or a contact time. The composition of the alkali cellulose varies depending on the absorption rate of the alkali metal hydroxide solution by the pulp and this absorption rate can be adjusted by controlling the temperature of the alkali metal hydroxide solution or the contact time. Accordingly, the apparatus capable of controlling it can produce alkali cellulose having a desired composition.

Although the temperature of the alkali metal hydroxide solution can be controlled by a known technique, use of a heat exchanger is preferred. The heat exchanger may be installed inside or outside the pipe. Although no particular limitation is imposed on the temperature of the alkali metal hydroxide solution, it may be adjusted to be within a range of from 20 to 80° C. The pipe contactor capable of carrying out continuous treatment may be preferred. A continuous apparatus can be made smaller in size than a batch type apparatus so that it is advantageous in view of space economy.

The contact time can be adjusted preferably by changing the flow rate of the alkali metal hydroxide solution and/or the length of a contact zone.

The flow speed in the pipe is determined by the flow rate of the alkali metal hydroxide solution. The linear speed in the pipe may be preferably 0.1 m/s or greater, especially preferably from 0.2 to 10 m/s. When it is less than 0.1 m/s, the movement of pulp in the pipe may become difficult. When it is more than 10 m/s, a pressure loss may become excessively large, disturbing smooth operation. The flow rate can be changed by an ordinarily method, for example, including change of a rotational speed of a slurry pump or use of a control valve.

The length of the contact zone in the pipe may be preferably 0.1 to 200 m, especially preferably 0.2 to 100 m. When it is less than 0.1 m, it may be difficult to control the amount of absorption. When it exceeds 200 m, the equipment may become impractically large.

The contact time between the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution may be preferably from 1 second to 15 minutes, especially preferably from 2 seconds to 2 minutes. When the contact time is less than 1 second, it may be highly difficult to control the absorption amount. When the contact time is more than 15 minutes, the apparatus may be excessively large so that productivity may be deteriorated. In addition, the pulp may absorb too much amount of the alkali so that it may become difficult for any drainer to prepare alkali cellulose having a desired composition suited for the preparation of cellulose ether.

It may be preferable that the pipe type contactor has a main body permitting water circulation by a jacket so that the heat generated by mixing of the alkali and cellulose can be controlled and thereby the internal temperature can be controlled.

The apparatus for bringing the pulp into contact with the alkali metal hydroxide solution can preferably treat them continuously. Such a continuous apparatus is advantageous over a batch one in view of space economy because the apparatus itself can be made smaller than the batch one. The contactor preferably enables piston-flow passage of the pulp in view of good quality of alkali cellulose. The composition of alkali cellulose varies depending on the contact time as mentioned above so that the constant contact time allows the alkali cellulose to have a uniform composition. It should be avoided for the pulp introduced into the contactor to pass through without contact with the alkali in order to obtain a good quality product. Since the pulp is apt to float in the alkali metal hydroxide solution, the pulp has to pass through the contactor while ensuring complete contact with the alkali metal hydroxide solution.

It may be preferable that the pipe type contactor can be evacuated or nitrogen-purged in order to prevent a reduction in the polymerization degree of the alkali cellulose in the presence of oxygen. If the control of the polymerization degree in the presence of oxygen is desired at the same time, the contactor having a structure capable of controlling an oxygen amount may be preferred.

No particular limitation is imposed on the alkali metal hydroxide solution to be used in the invention insofar as alkali cellulose can be obtained using it. An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide solution or potassium hydroxide may be preferred, with the former one being especially preferred from an economical viewpoint. The concentration of the solution may be preferably 23 to 60% by weight, especially preferably 35 to 55% by weight. When the concentration is less than 23% by weight, it may be economically disadvantageous because a side reaction between an etherifying agent and water may occur during the subsequent preparation of cellulose ether. Moreover, cellulose ether having a desired degree of substitution may not be obtained and an aqueous solution of the cellulose ether thus prepared may not be inferior in transparency. When the concentration is more than 60% by weight, the solution may not be handled easily because of an increase in viscosity. The concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide solution to be provided for the contact with the pulp may be preferably kept constant in order to stabilize the composition of the alkali cellulose and ensure the transparency of the cellulose ether.

According to the invention, the uniformity of the alkali distribution can be improved even if an inert solvent such as lower alcohol preferably having 1 to 4 carbons is not used. However, use of such a solvent does not pose any problem. Use of such a solvent can improve uniformity of alkali distribution and bulk density of alkali cellulose.

According to the present invention, after the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution are brought into contact with each other in the pipe type contactor, an excess alkali metal hydroxide solution is removed from the contact mixture by a drainer such as a squeezer so as to obtain alkali cellulose.

The drainer may include a drainer making use of a centrifugal force such as a decanter or a rotating basket; a mechanical drainer such as a roll type, a V-shaped disc press or screw press; and a vacuum filter. From the viewpoint of uniform draining, a drainer making use of a centrifugal force may be preferred. In addition, it may be preferable that a drainer can conduct continuous treatment. Examples may include a screw discharge type centrifugal dehydrator, an extrusion plate type centrifugal separator and a decanter. In a drainer making use of centrifugal force, a required draining degree can be attained by adjusting the rotation speed of the drainer. In a mechanical drainer and a vacuum filter, a required draining degree can be attained by adjusting a draining pressure and a degree of vacuum, respectively.

The alkali solution recovered by draining can be recycled. When it is recycled, an alkali metal hydroxide solution may be preferably supplied to the system continuously in an amount equal to that of the alkali metal hydroxide solution taken out of the system as alkali cellulose. In this case, it may be possible to transfer the alkali solution recovered by draining to the tank once, and then feed it from the tank to an apparatus for contact, and then add a new alkali metal hydroxide solution so as to keep a constant level in the tank.

When the alkali solution recovered by draining is recycled, it may be especially preferable that both of a continuous centrifugal separator having a perforated rotor and a continuous centrifugal separator having an imperforate rotor are used together. This makes it possible to prevent the clogging of the centrifugal separator having a perforated rotor and prevent filtration failure or oscillation of the centrifugal separator caused thereby. First of all, a mixture obtained by the contact of the pulp with the alkali metal hydroxide solution is separated into a liquid and a solid by using a continuous centrifugal separator equipped with a perforated rotor. Then, the fine solid in the separated liquid is further separated by a continuous centrifugal separator having an imperforate rotor. A part or all of the liquid separated by the continuous centrifugal separator having a perforated rotor can be directly introduced into the continuous centrifugal separator having an imperforate rotor. Alternatively, it can be placed in the tank and then introduced into the continuous centrifugal separator having an imperforate rotor. The solid recovered from the separated liquid by the continuous centrifugal separator having an imperforate rotor can be used as alkali cellulose.

The continuous centrifugal separator can control the number of rotation, depending on the contact time and the contact temperature between pulp and an alkali metal hydroxide solution, and necessary draining degree. In other words, the continuous centrifugal separator can control a centrifugal effect. The control of the centrifugal effect can keep the concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide solution constant, the solution being fed repeatedly for the contact with the pulp. Consequently, the cellulose ether having high transparency can be obtained. When the contact time and/or the contact temperature is increased from the present operation, the centrifugal effect can be reduced. When the contact time and/or contact temperature is lowered, the centrifugal effect can be increased. It may be preferable to keep the variation of the concentrations of the alkali metal hydroxide solution within ±10%, especially preferably ±5%.

Incidentally, the centrifugal effect is a value indicating a magnitude of the centrifugal force and is given by a ratio of the centrifugal force to the gravity (see “New Edition Chemical Engineering Dictionary Edited by Society for Chemical Engineers, Japan”, published on May 30, 1974). The centrifugal effect Z is represented by the following equation. Z=(ω² r)/g=V ²/(gr)=π² N ² r/(900 g) wherein “r” represents a rotational diameter (unit: m) of a rotator, “ω” represents an angular rate (unit: rad/sec) of a rotator, “V” represents a circumferential rate (unit: m/sec) of a rotator, “N” represents a rotational number (unit: rpm) of a rotator and “g” represents a gravitational acceleration (unit: m/sec²).

A weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the cake obtained by draining to the solid portion contained by the pulp (alkali metal hydroxide/solid portion in the pulp) may be preferably 0.3 to 1.5, more preferably 0.65 to 1.30, still more preferably 0.90 to 1.30. When the weight ratio falls within a range of 0.3 to 1.5, the cellulose ether thus obtained has improved transparency. The solid portion in the pulp may include, in addition to cellulose which is a main component, hemicellulose, lignin, organic matters such as a resin, and inorganic matters such as Se and Fe components.

The weight ratio of (alkali metal hydroxide)/(solid portion in the pulp) can be determined by the following titration method.

First, 4.00 g of a cake is sampled and the weight percentage (wt %) of the alkali metal hydroxide contained in the cake is determined by neutralization titration (0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄, indicator: phenolphthalein). A blank test is also performed in a similar manner.

Wt  %  of  alkali  metal  hydroxide = (normality  factor) × {(dropped  amount  (ml)  of  H₂SO₄) − (dropped  amout  (ml)  of  H₂SO₄  in  blank  test)}

Using the wt % of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the cake, a weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide to the solid portion contained by the pulp is then determined in accordance with the following equation:

(weight  of  alkali  metal  hydroxide)/(weight  of  solid  portion  in  pulp) = (wt  %  of  alkali  metal  hydroxide) ÷ [{100 − (wt  %  of  alkali  metal  hydroxide)/(B/100)} × (S/100)].

In the above equation, “B” represents the concentration (wt %) of the alkali metal hydroxide solution and “S” represents the concentration (wt %) of the solid portion in the pulp. The concentration of the solid portion in the pulp is obtained by dividing the residual weight after drying about 2 g of sampled pulp at 105° C. for 2 hours, by the weight of the sampled pulp and is expressed by weight percentage.

A feed rate of the pulp to the pipe of the pipe type contactor; and a recovery rate of the alkali cellulose after draining, or a consumption rate of the alkali metal hydroxide solution are measured. The composition of the alkali cellulose at present is calculated based on their weight ratios. The contact time, a temperature of the alkali metal hydroxide solution in the pipe, or draining degree such as a squeezing pressure can be controlled so as to conform the calculated composition to a target composition. The above-described measurements, calculation and controlling operations can be automated.

The composition of the alkali cellulose can be determined by the etherification degree of cellulose ether obtained from the alkali cellulose, that is, the molar substitution degree or value.

Using the alkali cellulose obtained by the above-described preparation method as a raw material, cellulose ether can be prepared in a known manner.

The reaction method may include a batch type or a continuous type. The continuous type is employed for the preparation of the alkali cellulose according to the present invention so that continuous type for the preparation of cellulose ether is preferred, but batch reaction is feasible.

In the batch type, the alkali cellulose discharged from the drainer may be stored in a buffer tank or charged directly in an etherification reactor. It may be preferable to store the alkali cellulose in the buffer tank and then charge the alkali cellulose in a reaction vessel in a short period of time in order to reduce its occupancy time in the etherification reactor. This leads to an increase in productivity. The buffer tank is preferably evacuated or purged with nitrogen so as to form an oxygen-free atmosphere therein, whereby a reduction in the polymerization degree can be suppressed.

Examples of cellulose ether obtainable from the resulting alkali cellulose as a starting material may include alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.

Examples of the alkyl cellulose may include methyl cellulose having a methoxyl group of 1.0 to 2.2 (D.S.) and ethyl cellulose having ethoxyl group of 2.0 to 2.6 (D.S.). It should be noted that D.S. (degree of substitution) means the average number of substituted hydroxyl groups in the anhydrous glucose unit, while M.S. (molar substitution) means the average number of substituents in the anhydrous glucose unit.

Examples of the hydroxyalkyl cellulose may include hydroxyethyl cellulose having a hydroxyethoxyl group of 0.05 to 3.0 (M.S.) and hydroxypropyl cellulose having a hydroxypropoxyl group of 0.05 to 3.3 (M.S.).

Examples of the hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose may include hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose having a methoxyl group of 1.0 to 2.2 (D.S.) and a hydroxyethoxyl group of 0.1 to 0.6 (M.S.), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose having a methoxyl group of 1.0 to 2.2 (D.S.) and a hydroxypropoxyl group of 0.1 to 0.6 (M.S.), and hydroxyethylethyl cellulose having an ethoxyl group of 1.0 to 2.2 (D.S.) and a hydroxyethoxyl group of 0.1 to 0.6 (M.S.).

Carboxymethyl cellulose having a carboxymethoxyl group of 0.2 to 2.2 (D.S.) can also be given as an example of cellulose ether.

Examples of the etherifying agent may include alkyl halide such as methyl chloride and ethyl chloride; alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and monochloroacetic acid.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will hereinafter be described by Examples. It should not be construed that the present invention is not limited to or by these Examples.

Example 1

A pipe having an inner diameter of 38 mm and a length of 10 m was placed so as to have an upward slope. A snake pump equipped with a hopper was connected to the inlet of the pipe. In the hopper of the snake pump, a 49 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution of 40° C. was supplied at a rate of 1,300 L/hr. At the same time, 4-mm square pulp chips produced by wood and having a solid concentration of 93 wt % were introduced at a rate of 50 kg/hr. The rotational speed of the snake pump was regulated so that the liquid level inside the hopper became a predetermined level. The linear speed in the pipe was 0.32 m/s, moving speed of the pulp was 0.32 m/s, and retention time was 31 seconds.

The outlet of the pipe was connected to a V-shaped disc press and a mixture of the pipe chips and the sodium hydroxide solution discharged from the pipe was drained continuously. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid portion contained by the pulp, which was determined by the titration method, was 1.25.

Example 2

In a similar manner to Example 1 except that a 49 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was fed at a rate of 1,800 L/hr, and a screw discharge type centrifugal dehydrator having a centrifugal effect of 600 was disposed at the outlet of the pipe as a drainer, alkali cellulose was prepared. The linear speed in the pipe was 0.44 m/s, moving speed of the pulp was 0.44 m/s, and retention time was 23 seconds. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid potion contained by the pulp, which was determined by the titration method, was 1.00.

Example 3

In a similar manner to Example 1 except that a pipe having a length of 7.4 m was employed, and an extrusion plate type centrifugal dehydrator having a centrifugal effect of 600 and equipped with a 0.2 mm slit screen was installed as a drainer at the outlet of the pipe, alkali cellulose was prepared. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid portion contained by the pulp, which was determined by the titration method, was in 1.00.

Example 4

In a pressure-resistant reactor was charged 20 kg of the alkali cellulose obtained in Example 1. After vacuuming, 11 kg of methyl chloride and 2.7 kg of propylene oxide were added for a reaction. The reaction product was washed, dried and pulverized to yield hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose.

The hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose thus obtained had a methoxyl group (D.S.) of 1.90 and a hydroxyl group (MS) of 0.24. A 2 wt % aqueous solution of the hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose had a viscosity at 20° C. of 10,000 mPa·s. The light transmittance at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution thereof was 98.0% as a result of measurement using a photoelectric calorimeter “PC-50”, a cell length of 20 mm and visible light

Example 5

A pipe having an inner diameter of 38 mm and a length of 10 m was arranged so as to have an upward slope. A snake pump equipped with a hopper was connected to the inlet of the pipe. In the hopper of the snake pump, a 44 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution of 40° C. was supplied at a rate of 1,800 L/hr from a tank. At the same time, 4-mm square pulp chips produced by wood and having a solid concentration of 93 wt % were introduced at a rate of 50 kg/hr. The rotational speed of the snake pump was regulated so that the liquid level inside of the hopper became a predetermined level. The linear speed in the pipe was 0.44 m/s, the moving speed of the pulp was 0.44 m/s, and retention time was 23 seconds. A screw discharge type centrifugal dehydrator was installed as a drainer at the outlet of the pipe type contactor. A mixture of the pulp chips and the sodium hydroxide solution discharged from the pipe type contactor was drained continuously at a centrifugal effect of 600. The liquid thus separated was introduced into the tank and recycled for the contact with the pulp. A 49 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was continuously fed to the tank so as to maintain the solution in the tank at a constant level. The concentration of the solution in the tank was maintained at 44 wt %. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid portion contained by the pulp, was determined by the titration method, was 1.00.

In a pressure-resistant reactor was placed 5.5 kg in terms of cellulose content of the alkali cellulose thus obtained. After vacuuming, 9 kg of methyl chloride and 1.4 kg of propylene oxide were added thereto for a reaction. The reaction product was then washed, dried and pulverized to yield hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. The degree of substitution of the cellulose ether, and the viscosity at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution of the cellulose ether and the light transmittance at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution thereof were measured and the results are shown in Table 1. The light transmittance at 20° C. of the 2 wt % aqueous solution thereof was measured using a photoelectric calorimeter “PC-50”, a cell length of 20 mm and visible light.

Example 6

A pipe having an inner diameter of 38 mm and a length of 10 m was arranged so as to have an upward slope. A snake pump equipped with a hopper was connected to the inlet of the pipe. In the hopper of the snake pump, a 44 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution of 40° C. was supplied at a rate of 1,800 L/hr. At the same time, 4-mm square pulp chips produced by wood and having a solid concentration of 93 wt % were introduced at a rate of 50 kg/hr. The rotational speed of the snake pump was regulated so that the liquid level inside the hopper became constant. The linear speed in the pipe was 0.44 m/s, the moving speed of the pulp was 0.44 m/s, and retention time was 23 seconds. A screw discharge type centrifugal dehydrator was installed at the outlet of the pipe type contactor as a drainer. A mixture of the pulp chips and the sodium hydroxide solution discharged from the pipe type contactor was drained continuously at a centrifugal effect of 600. The liquid thus separated was introduced into the tank and by a pump, it was sent to a decanter which was under operation at a centrifugal effect of 2500. In the decanter, a fine solid was collected. The fine solid thus recovered was mixed with the alkali cellulose. The liquid which had passed through the decanter was returned to the tank and recycled for the contact with the pulp. A 49 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was continuously fed to the tank so as to maintain the solution in the tank at a constant level. The concentration of the solution in the tank was maintained at 44 wt %. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid portion contained by the pulp, determined by the titration method, was 1.00.

In a pressure-resistant reactor was charged 5.5 kg in terms of cellulose content of the alkali cellulose thus obtained. After vacuuming, 9 kg of methyl chloride and 1.4 kg of propylene oxide were added thereto for a reaction. The reaction product was then washed, dried and pulverized to yield hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. The degree of substitution of the cellulose ether, and the viscosity at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution of the cellulose ether and the light transmittance at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution thereof are shown in Table 1. The light transmittance at 20° C. of the 2 wt % aqueous solution thereof was measured using a photoelectric calorimeter “PC-50”, a cell length of 20 mm and visible light.

Example 7

In a similar manner to Example 6 except that the temperature of the 44 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was decreased to 20° C. and the centrifugal effect of the screw discharge type centrifugal dehydrator was raised to 1000, alkali cellulose was obtained. The concentration of the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in the tank was kept at 44 wt %. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid portion contained by the pulp, which was determined by the titration method, was 0.60.

In a similar manner to Example 6 except that 6.5 kg of methyl chloride and 1.2 kg of propylene oxide were added, cellulose ether was prepared. The viscosity at 20° C. and the light transmittance at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution of the resulting cellulose ether are shown in Table 1.

Example 8

In a similar manner to Example 6 except that the feed rate of the 44 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was changed to 1,300 L/hr, the centrifugal effect of the screw discharge type centrifugal separator was changed to 300, the linear velocity inside the pipe was changed to 0.32 m/s, the moving rate of the pulp was changed to 0.32 m/s, and the retention time was changed to 31 seconds, alkali cellulose was prepared. The concentration of the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in the tank was kept at 44 wt %. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid portion contained by the pulp, which was determined by the titration method, was 1.25.

In a similar manner to Example 6 except that 11 kg of methyl chloride and 2.7 kg of propylene oxide were added, cellulose ether was prepared. The viscosity at 20° C. and the light transmittance at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution of the resulting cellulose ether are shown in Table 1.

Example 9

In a similar manner to Example 6 except that the feed rate of the 44 wt % aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was changed to 1,300 L/hr, the linear velocity inside the pipe was changed to 0.32 m/s, the moving rate of the pulp is changed to 0.32 m/s, and the retention time was changed to 31 seconds, alkali cellulose was obtained. The centrifugal effect of the screw discharge type centrifugal separator was remained at 600. The concentration of the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in the tank was 46 wt %. The weight ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide contained by the alkali cellulose thus obtained to the solid portion contained by the pulp, which was determined by the titration method, was 1.25.

In a similar manner to Example 6 except that 11 kg of methyl chloride and 2.7 kg of propylene oxide were added, cellulose ether was prepared. The viscosity at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution of the cellulose ether and the light transmittance at 20° C. of a 2 wt % aqueous solution thereof are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Substitution degree Aqueous 2 wt % solution of cellulose ether of cellulose ether Methoxyl Hydroxypropoxyl Viscosity Transmittance group (DS) group (MS) (mPa · s) at 20° C. (%) Example 5 1.80 0.15  9990 96.5 Example 6 1.80 0.15 10050 96.5 Example 7 1.40 0.20 10030 93.0 Example 8 1.90 0.25 10020 98.5 Example 9 1.90 0.25  9990 97.0 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing a cellulose ether, comprising the steps of: bringing pulp in the form of powder or chips into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a pipe type contactor comprising (i) at least one inlet port at a first end for introducing pulp and an alkali metal hydroxide solution, and (ii) at least one outlet port at a second end for discharging a contact mixture, wherein the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution can be moved from the first end to the second end while bringing the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution into contact with each other to generate the contact mixture; draining the contact mixture to separate alkali cellulose; and etherifying the alkali cellulose prepared in the draining step with an etherifying agent to produce cellulose ether.
 2. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of alkali metal hydroxide contained by a cake obtained in the draining step to a solid portion contained by the pulp is 0.3 to 1.5.
 3. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 2, wherein a weight ratio of alkali metal hydroxide contained by a cake obtained in the draining step to a solid portion contained by the pulp is controlled by one or more of changing a linear velocity of the alkali metal hydroxide solution and changing a contact zone in a pipe of the pipe type contactor.
 4. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of alkali metal hydroxide contained by a cake obtained in the draining step to a solid portion contained by the pulp is controlled by one or more of changing a linear velocity of the alkali metal hydroxide solution and changing a contact zone in a pipe of the pipe type contactor.
 5. A method for preparing a cellulose ether, comprising the steps of: bringing pulp in the form of powder or chips into continuous contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution in a pipe type contactor comprising (i) at least one inlet port at a first end for introducing pulp and an alkali metal hydroxide solution, and (ii) at least one outlet port at a second end for discharging a contact mixture, wherein the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution can be moved from the first end to the second end while bringing the pulp and the alkali metal hydroxide solution into contact with each other to generate the contact mixture; draining the contact mixture to separate alkali cellulose; and etherifying the alkali cellulose prepared in the draining step with an etherifying agent to produce cellulose ether; wherein the pipe type contactor includes a portion having an upward slope.
 6. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 5, wherein the contact mixture is caused to flow through the pipe type contactor by a driving pump.
 7. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 5, wherein the pipe type contactor has a contact zone from 0.1 to 200 m.
 8. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 5, wherein the contact mixture has a linear speed in the pipe type contactor from 0.2 to 10 m/s, as determined by a flow rate of the alkali metal hydroxide solution.
 9. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 5, wherein the contact mixture has a linear speed in the pipe type contactor from 0.1 to 0.44 m/s, as determined by a flow rate of the alkali metal hydroxide solution.
 10. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 5, wherein the contact mixture has a linear speed in the pipe type contactor from 0.32 to 0.44 m/s, as determined by a flow rate of the alkali metal hydroxide solution.
 11. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 5, wherein the pulp is in the form of chips having a plane surface area from 10 to 2,500 mm².
 12. The method for preparing a cellulose ether according to claim 5, wherein the contact mixture passes through the pipe type contactor in piston-flow. 